December 4, 2007

I agree with those people who think that a sitting congressman should, by law, have to resign to run for president. I know, it's harsh but that's the only cure for presidential fever, a disease that has stricken two of our senators in the past few years.

The problem is, every senator, representative, legislator, governor, mayor or dog catcher in America is surrounded by sycophants and yes men. After awhile, a politician's head gets so big, the only way to contain it is to park it in the White House.

If a politician had to resign his current position to run for president, he -- or she -- would be forced to take a hard look at himself before he committed. He'd have to ask himself if he really has a chance. He'd have to risk his job as senator or governor or whatever to run.

This would narrow the field dramatically. The Republicans have more politicians out of office than the Dems running this year, so it wouldn't affect them so much, but would Dennis Kucinich be running? Would Dodd? I think it would come down to Hill, Bam and Edwards. Would the others give up a sure thing for such a big gamble?

OK, you might ask, then that law would encourage only unemployed politicians to seek high office. That's fair. What's Ross Perot doing these days? What about Dukakis? Walter Mondale? Oh, right, he's dead. No dead people should be allowed to run for president or vote. This isn't Chicago.

When I'm in charge, I'm going to pass a law that says if a person ran for president and lost, he can never run again under penalty of water boarding and prison.

Then I'll pass another law that says a politician has to resign his current elected office to be eligible to run for another higher office. Then, I'll appoint one of my buddies to fill his post. There are solid reasons why editorial cartoonists should not be allowed to be in charge.